The process of
forgiveness for survivors of sexual violence in dating relationships is a
complex and crucial step toward mental health recovery. Research conducted by
Yosy Verahtania and Amanda Pasca Rini from the Master of Psychology program at
Universitas 17 Agustus Surabaya in May 2026 reveals that forgiving is not an
act of forgetting the incident, but an effort to free oneself from the burden
of negative emotions.
Background
Dating violence,
especially sexual violence, has become an urgent issue due to its profound
traumatic impact on victims. Women are often the most vulnerable group in these
cases, where the trauma experienced can affect their long-term mental,
emotional, and social well-being. Many survivors become trapped in feelings of
anger, shame, and guilt, necessitating adaptive recovery mechanisms to help
them regain a peaceful life.
Research Methodology
This study employed a
qualitative phenomenological approach to explore the subjective experiences of
survivors. The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with five women aged
20 to 30 who had experienced sexual violence in dating relationships and had
undergone the forgiveness process. The data were strengthened by document
analysis and observation to obtain a holistic view of the psychological
dynamics involved.
Key Findings
The research findings
indicate that the forgiveness process undergone by survivors involves several
important stages:
·
Self-Acceptance: Survivors begin to acknowledge that the violent
experience occurred and cannot be changed.
·
Emotional Processing: Survivors manage negative emotions through therapy,
personal activities, or social support.
·
Identity Reconstruction: Survivors rebuild their self-confidence and set new life
goals.
·
The Role of Social Support: Support from family, friends, and professionals is
proven to be highly beneficial in helping survivors rise again and realize that
they remain valuable individuals.
Implications and
Impact
This research
emphasizes that forgiveness is a form of benevolence motivation—a
good intention to make peace with the past for one's own well-being, rather
than to justify the perpetrator's actions. By forgiving, survivors can release
the desire for revenge and shift their focus toward their personal
psychological well-being. These findings are expected to serve as a reference
in developing more effective psychological interventions for survivors of
sexual violence, highlighting the importance of supportive environments in the
process of self-identity recovery.
Author Profile:
- Yosy Verahtania – Universitas 17 Agustus Surabaya
- Amanda Pasca Rini- Universitas 17 Agustus Surabaya
Research Source:
Verahtania, Y., &
Rini, A. P. (2026). "Dynamics of Forgiveness in Female Survivors of Sexual
Violence and Dating Victims". International Journal of
Integrated Science and Technology (IJIST), 4(5), 248-253.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijist.v4i5.3.
URL: https://journalijist.my.id/index.php/ijist
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